Trey Me! The South Nine

This summer we began a mythical 18 hole course made up of our county's more interesting Par 3's that are open for all to play. The front or North 9 was published several weeks ago and are courses north of 146th street. Today we continue with the South 9 comprising the back nine of our most intriguing Hamilton County short course.

Hole 10. "Swan Island". The 14th at River Glen, Fishers. You must carry the pond and over a small pocket of grassland with a nesting swan. Avoid any low, smothered, pushed line-drive 4 irons. They want to keep calling it Swan Island.

Hole 18, "Open Prairie". The 4th at Prairie View, Carmel. Judging the wind's impact and the pin setting makes for an exciting tee shot. Bunkers right can save a pushed shot to a pond, and a hill slope left can pitch a pulled shot to the green.

Hole 12. "Surf or Turf". The 7th at Ironwood, Lakes Course, Fishers. Surrounding sycamores hide swirling winds on this island Par 3. A two-tier green accepts a well struck shot if it avoids the bunkers that border the hole. With a nervous mis-hit, the lake eats up the ball and the golfer has reservations at the drop area.

Hole 13. "Turning Point". The 16th at Plum Creek, Carmel. It demands a critical tee shot with OB left and a water hazard to the right and in front of the green. The Pete Dye design can be very instrumental in either match play or stroke play.

Hole 14. "Good Luck". The 2nd at Brookshire, Carmel. Golfers get hot when left leaning shots tumble into Cool Creek. Tall mature trees add dismay to errant shots missed to the right. For good measure a front bunker can come into play.

Hole 15. "Two Over". The 17th at Mohawk Hills, Carmel. Can be stretched to over 200 yards for the back side of this 9 hole course. Protecting par is a knee knocking carry over water and a much visited right side bunker.

Hole 16, "Eagle's View". The 13th at Gray Eagle, Fishers. Indeed, golfers watch with intensity as tee shots drop to a very undulating green. A bunker front left and water behind and on the right are nature predators to a weak tee shot.

Hole 17. "No Way!!!". The 7th at Sunrise, Carmel. A stone filled creek points the way to an uphill plateau target. While the green is large, the backdrop woods and steep gully up front can make a golfer's tee confidence small.

Hole 18. "Marsh Madness" The 12th at Prairie View, Carmel. A scenic tee box overlooks a plateau green protected by marsh, woods and bunkers. Lots of mental energy is expended before, during and even after the shot. Try two putting a green with a center ridge line dividing left and right sides.

Author: Alan Hinds

Alan Hinds served as chairman of the county men's amateur for 10 years with several published writings on golf.
He plays at a 10 handicap. In the community he has served on the park board and city council of Noblesville
and was awarded the Hamilton County Leadership Academy Alumni of the Year in 2006. Alan holds a degree
from Auburn University and a MBA from the University of South Florida.